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Is it illegal for my boss to take away our breakroom?

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I was just wondering if my boss was allowed to take away our breakroom for any reason? thanks for your time.

No, it’s probably not illegal for your boss to take away the break room.

Almost no state has a law requiring an employer to provide a separate room for employees to use as a break room. In fact, most states don’t even require employers to give meal or rest breaks at all, much less provide a room for them.

Only California, Colorado, Kentucky, Nevada, Oregon and Washington require rest breaks for almost every employee. Illinois has a break law, but it only applies to hotel maids in Chicago. The

Minnesota break law simply requires that workers have a break long enough to use the nearest restroom.

Federal regulations do require breaks for employees in some industries, such as truck drivers or airline pilots.

A few states do have laws that require employers in some industries – especially the retail industry – to provide a chair in the back room for employees to sit on during their breaks. These are popularly referred to as “chair laws.” However, even in those cases, the law doesn’t demand that a separate room be provided.

If you’d like to post a question mentioning the state and industry, our experts will check to see if there is a chair law that applies.